New Delhi: Calling the relations with the US as a "defining partnership", President Pranab Mukherjee, in his greetings to President Barack Obama on the eve of their Independence Day, expressed India's commitment to work closely with Washington.

In his message to Obama, the President said, "This is an occasion when we are reminded of the shared values of democracy, pluralism, equality, liberty and rule of law that form the bedrock of the global strategic partnership between India and the United States of America."

"Our bilateral cooperation, in virtually every sphere of human endeavour, has been to the mutual benefit of both our people. Indeed, our strategic partnership contributes significantly to the global security and economic architecture," he said.

Mukherjee said, "India shares the view that this relationship will be a defining partnership of the 21st century".

"On behalf of Government and the people of India, I have the pleasure to extend warm greetings and felicitations to the Government and citizens of the United States of America on your 237th Independence Day," Mukherjee said.